Shiranai Koto Shiritai |work| -

"Shiranai Koto Shiritai" is a Japanese phrase that translates to "I want to know what I don't know" or "I want to learn what I don't know." This concept is deeply rooted in the Japanese culture of continuous learning and self-improvement, known as "shikantaza" or "just sitting," but more broadly, it relates to the idea of seeking knowledge and understanding.

Yuzuru Hada: The Man Who Knows Nothing About Sake

Sake sommelier Yuzuru Hada, despite writing authoritative books on nihonshu, begins every tasting by declaring, "I know nothing about this brewery's water source or rice polishing ratio. Shiranai koto shiritai." He argues that expertise without curiosity is dead knowledge. By resetting his mind to curiosity before each new bottle, he notices nuances that "experts" miss. shiranai koto shiritai


Part 1: The Linguistic and Cultural DNA

Title: Shiranai Koto Shiritai – The Beautiful Hunger for the Unknown

Part 6: "Shiranai Koto Shiritai" as Daily Practice

A Practical Digital Manifesto

To practice "shiranai koto shiritai" online: "Shiranai Koto Shiritai" is a Japanese phrase that

  1. Once a day, search for something you have zero knowledge of. Yesterday: "How does a theremin work?" Today: "What is the history of the abacus in Mesoamerica?"
  2. Follow creators who specialize in the obscure. Japanese YouTube channels like "Nazotoki Lab" (Mystery Solving Lab) or "Fushigi no Kyouka" (Strange Subjects) are built on this exact premise.
  3. When you encounter a term you don't know, don't scroll past. Pause. Say the phrase aloud. Then look it up.

Back
Top Bottom